Oct. 23 Daily Briefing: Helpful housing opens, Donna Brazile visits, our pet of the week, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone! We cover a lot of meetings in the Palm Springs, and rarely do they make news for anything other than topics on their agendas (thankfully). We can’t say the same for Victorville, however, where a member of the city council there was convicted of two counts of disturbing her own meeting and two counts of resisting a public officer. The issues date back a few years, but the conviction came down on Oct. 10. If such things interest you, check out the details here (there’s lots of dramatic video!). 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Talk Talk” by Talk Talk

LEADING OFF

Housing, healthcare combine at newly-opened DAP Health project

A 61-unit affordable housing development officially opened Tuesday in Palm Springs, offering residents both stable housing and direct access to comprehensive healthcare services through its location on the DAP Health campus.

Driving the news: Vista Sunrise II, a $31 million project developed by DAP Health and Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, recently welcomed its first residents to the 1500 block of North Sunrise Way. A ribbon cutting event celebrated the milestone Tuesday morning.

Why it matters: The development is designed specifically to serve individuals with chronic health conditions and those who were formerly experiencing homelessness.

• Residents pay only 30% of their income for rent and utilities while gaining immediate access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services.
  
  
• The complex dedicates 30 units for residents with chronic needs, while the remaining units serve as transitional housing.

By the numbers: The project received significant financial backing from multiple sources. Desert Care Network presented a ceremonial $2.5 million check for the development during Tuesday’s event. 

• Additional funding was secured from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, while Wells Fargo Bank and the city of Palm Springs provided further support.

Details: The modern facility incorporates several notable features. The building includes green-rated units equipped with solar systems and energy-efficient appliances. 

• Residents have access to a spacious 1,600-square-foot community room, an acre of recreation area, and a roof deck that offers views of Mount San Jacinto.

The bottom line: “Healthcare happens beyond the walls of the hospital,” said Linda Evans, Desert Care Network’s chief strategy officer, emphasizing the project’s “housing is healthcare” theme during her speech.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🎤 Speaker series kicks off with humor, honesty about US politics

Veteran political strategist Donna Brazile kicked off the sixth season of the Palm Springs Speaks series on Tuesday, focusing on the current political landscape and the state of democracy in America. 

• In her talk, Brazile argued that our democracy is in its current state due to a loss of faith in institutions, the American dream, capitalism, and the belief that things will improve.
  
  
• Brazile noted that only 30% of Americans trust the government, 40% trust journalists, and even lower percentages trust institutions like churches, banks, public schools, and the medical system. 
  
  
• Despite the challenges, Brazile expressed optimism about the future, noting that nearly 20 million Americans had already cast early votes in the Nov. 5 election, with over 57 million ballots requested.
  
  
• Bottom line: “What have we done to deserve this?” she asked the crowd as she concluded her remarks. “Nothing that we can’t fix together.”

Dive deeper with Maggie Miles’s full story

💰 Report: State gave non-profit funds as city was investigating

You can add the State of California to the growing list of agencies that awarded funds to a Palm Springs-based non-profit currently subject to an investigation.  

• A report in Tuesday’s Desert Sun reveals that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) paid Queer Works over $150,000 in 2023 for a grant meant for gender-affirming care, even as city officials were investigating the organization for allegedly misusing $700,000 in public funds.
  
  
• The payments from CDPH began shortly before and continued after Palm Springs officials initiated a compliance audit that led to a criminal investigation by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which is still ongoing. The county also awarded the organization grant money.
  
  
• Bottom line: After receiving the state grant, Queer Works — which had changed its name to The TransPower Project — said it used the funds for free mental health services for some individuals, but details were scant and the nonprofit closed soon after the grant was terminated. 

Read all of our reporting on the investigation here.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Rotary
12 p.m. | Hilton Palm Springs
Attend a luncheon gathering with weekly changing programs. Check the newsletter for updates.

PSHS Homecoming Parade
3:30 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The parade features the Palm Springs High School football team along Palm Canyon Drive. This year’s theme is “Candyland.”

Administrative Appeals Board
5:30 p.m. | City Hall Large Conference Room
The Board typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month to hear appeals on actions taken by an administrative officer or administrative agency.

Bedside Reading Author Event
5:30 p.m. | Kimpton Rowan
Join Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs and Bedside Reading for a fun evening of books, cocktails, and culinary delights in the hotel’s lobby living room. Meet best-selling authors and enjoy signature “book-tini” cocktails. (Free)

Rebecca Clark in concert
6 p.m. | Mary Pickford Theater
Rebecca Clark honors Barbra Streisand in this tribute concert. Experience a night filled with music and nostalgia. Pre-concert “Happy Hour” starts at 5 p.m. ($45-$65)

Desert Modernism 101
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Library
Join Jade Thomas Nelson for a lecture on the architectural history of Via Lola, covering 100 years of architecture with a focus on Modernism. (Free)

Mizell Speaker Series
6 p.m. | Mizell Center
Durk Dehner discusses the legacy of Tom of Finland with Jamison Rockmore. Part of the Mizell Center’s 3rd Wednesday Speakers Series. ($10-$15)

Desert Blues Revival
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Join us for the Desert Blues Revival featuring Laurie Morvan at Agua Caliente Casino. Enjoy a high-end fantastic concert experience. ($17)

SAVE THE DATE

• Modernism Week October from Thursday through Sunday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Leather Pride from Thursday through Sunday.
  
  
• Blood Drive on Friday inside the Miralon development. 
  
  
• DAP Health Equity Walk on Saturday.
  
  
• Trunk or Treat at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday.
  
  
• Be A Hero for Kids Halloween Bash benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs on Sunday.
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs on Sunday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 2.
  
  
• Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival on Nov. 9 and 10.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today we invite you to meet Shadow, a 4-year-old Terrier, Pit Bull, Retriever mix available at Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

• Staff at the shelter say Shadow is a beauty in black, who loves treats, her toys and human affection. She is crate trained, does well at the vet and is good with low energy dogs.
  
  
• She becomes very attached to her person and can become protective in the home and therefore needs an owner who knows how to appropriately introduce her to new people in the home.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. And, you can get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.